People ask whether police in deep slumber : Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala

Narcotics peddling, shootings on the rise  

310 police officers interdicted for involvement in drug trafficking 

By Ranjith Karunaweera   

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs  Ananda Wijepala said questions are raised whether the police are in a  deep slumber in the wake of crimes.   

Addressing a meeting at Mahiyangana Divisional Secretariat  Auditorium, he said quite often the public question about the police  whether they are in a deep slumber. It is a fact that the government has  not yet been able to provide satisfactory service to the people.   

“Scattered incidents of shooting are reported, and the  contraband trade of narcotics has increased. However, the government has  taken steps to bring drug trafficking and related crimes under control. Police Department endeavours to crush the drug trafficking racket  and the crimes to create an atmosphere for the people to live without  fear,” he said.   The meeting had been organised to focus attention on the issues affecting the police officers in the Uva Province.   

“Everyone is liable to make mistakes, but any offence  committed wilfully is not pardonable. It is a matter of concern that  about 310 police officers have been under interdiction for their  involvement in drug offences from January this year,” he said.